U.S. may act unilaterally against Zimbabwe: White House

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration is pressing for U.N. sanctions against Zimbabwe but also may act unilaterally against the government of President Robert Mugabe following his re-election last week in a vote denounced as unfair, the White House said on Monday.

"We don't believe that the Mugabe regime is a legitimate government," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said. "We think that because they ran a sham election last week in which they intimidated every voter who would have voted against Mugabe."

Mugabe was re-elected in a vote condemned as violent and unfair by monitors. U.S. President George W. Bush denounced the vote on Saturday and ordered the secretaries of State and Treasury to develop sanctions against Mugabe's government.

A sanctions resolution being circulated by the United States at the United Nations on Monday called for an arms embargo against Zimbabwe as well as a freeze on the assets of individuals and firms.

"We will press for strong action by the United Nations but we could also act unilaterally," Perino said. "It could come in multiple ways. Obviously, sanctions work best when there are multiple parties working in concert, like we are with the European Union when it comes to getting Iran to halt its uranium enrichment."

Asked what the United States hoped to accomplish with sanctions, Perino said: "What we would like is for people first and foremost to feel safe in their own country, to let their voices be heard. I know that down in the area there is conversation about a possible power-sharing agreement."

African leaders are pushing Mugabe to open talks with the opposition led by Morgan Tsvangirai on a transitional government.

(Editing by Vicki Allen)